Snapper Z-rider User Manual

SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS & PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST

SNAPPER ZERO TURNING Z-RIDER with MID MOUNT MOWER

INTRODUCTION: These instructions cover the set-up of the Snapper M id Mount Z-Rider M ower. Complete each
of the following st eps carefully. Review and complete each item as instruct ed on the Pre-Operation checklist.
The Snapper Product Registration card must be filled out and sent to Customer Service department at Snapper
when completed.

IMPORTANT: The battery for this unit is shipped dry. A package of battery acid (electrolyte) will have to be
purchased separately. Allow sufficient time for charging and installing the battery before operating the rider.
Pay close attention to the precautionary statements on the battery and in these instructions. You will also need
an automotive type battery charger to activate the battery for use.

STEP 1: Remove machine from the container. The

battery will have to be charged and installed.
STEP 2: Remove battery from the battery compartment
before charging.
STEP 3: Place battery in a well ventilated area on a
level non-concrete surface.

WARNING

The electrolyte (acid) produces a h ighly explosive gas.
Keep all sparks, flame and fire away from area when
charging battery or when handling electrolyte or
battery. Electrolyte (acid) is a highly corrosive liquid.
Wear eye protection. Wash affected areas immediately
after having eye o r skin contact with electrolyte ( acid).
Battery acid is corrosive. Rinse empty acid containers
with water and mutilate before discarding. If acid is
spilled on battery, bench, or clothing, etc., Flush with
clear water and neutralize with baking soda.

STEP 4: Remove batter y cell caps. Fill cells as required

with electrolyte (purchased separately) to proper level.
Filling battery with electrolyte will bring the battery to
80% charged state.

WARNING

DO NOT OVERFILL!

STEP 5: With cell caps removed, connect battery

charger to battery terminals; RED to positive (+) and
BLACK to negative (-) terminal.
STEP 6: Slow charge the battery at 2 amp f or 2 hours
to bring the battery to full charge.
STEP 7: After charging, check level of electrolyte and
add as needed to bring fluid to proper level.

STEP 8: Reinstall cell caps.
STEP 9: Install battery into power unit.

STEP 10: Both bolts are already installed on both

terminals. Connect positive (+) cable (red) first, from
wiring harness to the positive terminal (+) on battery and
secure with nut provided in hardware bag. Connect
negative (-) cable (black) last, to negative ter minal (-) on
battery and secure with nut also provided. Apply a small
amount of grease over terminals to prevent corrosion.
See Figure 1.

WARNING

Shield the positive terminal with terminal cover
located on battery harness. This prevents metal
from touching the positive terminal, which could
cause sparks.

RED (POSITIVE) CABLE

TERMINAL COVER MUST
SHIELD POSITIVE
TERMINAL AFTER
INSTALLATION

FIGURE 1

STEP 11: Take the necessary precautions, when

handling fuel. Fill the f uel tank with clean fuel. Chec k oil
and add oil if needed as stated in Engine Owners
Manual. Move fuel tank selector valve handle to the
desired fuel tank.

INSTRUCTION No. 7-5597 (I.R. 4/1/03)

1

BLACK (NEGATIVE) CABLE

WARNING

PLATE

CONTROL LEVER

Handle fuel with care! Use an approved fuel
container. DO NOT smoke near open fuel container
and keep fuel container away from open flame. DO
NOT fill fuel tank indoors or when engine is
running. Allow engine to cool for at least ten
minutes before refilling. Wipe off any spilled fuel
before starting engine. DO NOT run engine indoors.
Before attempting any adjustments, maintenance,
service, or repairs, stop engine and blade, always
remove key from ignition sw itch , remov e spark p lug
wire(s) and secure wire(s) away from spark plug(s).

STEP 12: MOWER DECK ADJUSTMENT (LEVELNESS)
SIDE to SIDE and FRONT to REAR

Before mak ing deck leveling adjus tments, inflate r ear tires
to 12 PSI and front tires to 25 PSI. When adjusted
correctly, the deck will be level side to side within 1/8”, have
a low cut setting of approximately 1” and the blades pitched
approximately 3/16” higher at the rear.

A. Place machine on a smooth level surface.
B. Check blade tips by rotating blades until tips are

pointing to the sides of the deck. Check the
measurement of outside blade tips to the ground on
both blades. The measurem ent of each of the outside
blade tips should be within 1/8” of each other. If
measurement of the blade tips is not within 1/8”,
adjustment should be made to the correct
measurement.
C. Move deck lift lever and set the mower deck to the
highest cutting position.
D. Relieve tension on deck lift assist spring by loosening
nut on eyebolt.
E. Place 1” blocks under the f ront and rear edge of the
mower deck.
F. Move deck lift lever and set the mower deck to a
lower cutting position until deck rests on the 1” blocks.
G. Loosen the nuts and bolts that secure both front
deck support chains. Adjust chains until tight and
retighten bolts and nuts. Torque to 70 ft. lbs.
H. Loosen the nuts that secure both rear deck support
eyebolts. Adjust to remove slack from both rear chains.
Tighten nuts securely.
I. Move deck lift lever and set the mower deck to the
highest cutting position and recheck side to side blade
tip dimensions. The dif ference between the two should
be 1/8” or less.
NOTE: The deck tim ing rod is preset at the factor y and
requires no adjustments.
J. The leveling blocks used in Step E should result in a
proper deck pitc h. If a pitc h adjustm ent is required, us e
the two rear deck support eyebolts. Adjust up or down
as required.
K. Reinstall deck lif t ass ist spr ing. Place deck in highest
cutting position. Tighten nut on eyebolt until 1 1/4” of
threads protrude past end of nut.

STEP 13: HYDRAULIC OIL RESERVOIRS

Check the level of the fluid in both of the fluid reservoirs. The
reservoirs are loc ated underneath the operator’s s eat. W ipe
away all dirt and debris from around reservoir cap before
removing. Oil must remain absolutely clean! Check with
machine on a level surf ace with engine “OFF”. Fill res ervoir
as needed to bring level up. The res ervoir is properly filled
when the fluid level is 1½” below the top of the filler neck. DO
NOT OVER FILL. Use clean, fresh prem ium automotive oil
having a viscosity equivalent to SAE 20W50 API SL. The
fluid should be chemically stable, incorporating rust and
oxidation inhibitors. Make sure funnels, pouring spouts and
oil can are completely clean. Reinstall reservoir cap.

IMPORTANT: Re-check fluid level after operating machine for
several minutes and adjust level as needed. If one or both of
the wheel drive systems is not pulling properly, the hydraulic
system may need to be purged of entrapped air. Refer to
STEP “HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, PURGING”.

STEP 14: TRACKING ADJUSTMENT – TWIN STICK
CONTROLS

Start machine. If the m achine does not track straight when
the Motion Control Levers are in the maximum forward
speed position, perform the f ollowing adj ustment. Rear tire
pressure must be set to 12 PSI before making this
adjustment.
A. Loosen bolts that secure adjustment plates and slide

plates all the way forward. Retighten bolts.

B. Start machine and drive in smooth flat open area at

maximum forward speed.

C. If machine tracks to the right, loosen bolts that secure the

left adjustment plate. Move plate rear ward to slow the left
wheel. Retighten bolts.

D. If machine tracks to the left, loosen bolts that sec ure the

right adjustment plate. Move plate rearward to slow the
right wheel down. Retighten bolts. See Figure 2.

E. Drive machine again. Repeat adjustm ent as necessary

until machine tracks straight.

LEFT SIDE MOTION

ADJUSTMENT

LOOSEN BOLTS.
SLIDE PLATE TO
MAKE MACHINE
TRACK STRAIGHT

FIGURE 2

2